Introduction: The Impact of Lighting on our experiences
Have you ever walked into a house and felt that the atmosphere isn’t quite right? Whether it’s how the lights are too bright that’s affecting your mental state and your productivity or lights are too dim it’s too big of a contrast to look at screens without tiring your eyes? What about the overall mood a restaurant’s lighting conveys simply from how brightly or dimly lit it is?
The interior set design and lighting set in Coraline (2009) is an excellent example of how interior lighting can set the mood and evoke desired emotions intended by the director.
Interior Lighting in Coraline (2009): A Case Study
Coraline is a dark fantasy film that follows the story of a young girl named Coraline Jones who discovers a hidden door in her new home, leading to an alternate reality. Caroline, struggling with problems in reality, this “Other World” appears to be an idealized version of her own life, with attentive “Other” parents and an entirely different environment. The film uses lighting to create a vibrant, magical environment, contrasting the two realities to set the mood and amplify the emotional impact of the story. Whether through the warm, inviting glow of the alternate space or the eerie, high-contrast shadows of reality, Coraline’s (2009) lighting plays a crucial role in how we experience and interpret the emotional landscape of the film.
The Psychological Effects of Lighting in Everyday Spaces
In reality, interior lighting is not only used as a device to enhance our environment, but is also just as important to our routine and health. People with less sunlight up north or deep south start their day by staring into a lightbox to adjust the same way as we receive light in the morning to create early-day cortisol release and prepare the body and body for sleep later that night. A morning spike in cortisol will also positively influence your immune system, metabolism and ability to focus during the day.
It is also not a coincidence that facilities and municipalities are lit with bright overhead lights at all times during the day for the benefit to stay alert and focused. This is due to the “release of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine (molecules associated with motivation, attention and drive) and optimal amounts of cortisol to maximize your alertness and focus for work or other activities” (Huberman).
The Essential Role of Lighting in Our Lives
Whether in the cinematic world of Coraline or in our daily lives, the way spaces are lit can profoundly affect our emotions, productivity, and overall well-being. As illustrated by Coraline’s contrasting worlds, lighting can evoke specific moods and amplify emotional experiences.. Similarly, in our homes and workplaces, the right lighting can enhance our mental state and productivity. By understanding and utilizing the principles of effective lighting design, we can create environments that not only look aesthetically pleasing but also support our physical and emotional needs. Whether it’s the vibrant, magical glow of an alternate reality or the practical brightness of a well-lit workspace, lighting is a crucial element in shaping our experiences and interactions with the world around us. Please stay tuned for our blog in the upcoming week where we will break down different lighting options you can place in your home or residential area as a complete interior lighting coverage.
Works Cited
Huberman, Andrew. “Using Light for Health.” Huberman Lab – Huberman Lab, Huberman Lab, 23 Mar. 2024, www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter/using-light-for-health#:~:text=View ing%20sunlight%20within%20the%20first,for%20sleep%20later%20that%20night.